Longines Wristwatches

About Vintage Longines Wristwatches

Founded in 1832 by Auguste Agassiz, the company that would become Longines really came into its own in 1860 when Agassiz’s nephew, Ernest Francillon, took the watch maker’s reigns. Under Francillon, the company moved to a site called Les Longines on the river Suze in 1867, trademarked the name Longines in 1880, and registered the famous winged-hourglass logo in 1889.

Of course, Francillon did more than see to the company’s marketing needs. He also oversaw technological innovations that would make Longines one of the world’s most respected watch makers. One of his first decisions was to introduce anchor escapements into Longines timepieces. Then, in 1888, he presided over Longines’s first certified chronometer...

By 1909, Longines had enough experience with small-caliber movements that it could devote more of its attention to the jewelry watches and wristwatches that would make it famous. Two years later, it introduced a barrel-shaped wristwatch that is considered the precursor of the Longines Evidenza line, which flourished in the 1920s.

As it turns out, the winged-hourglass was a prescient symbol for a company that created numerous timepieces for pilots. In 1919, Longines became the official supplier to the International Aeronautical Federation; in 1925, a Longines accompanied aviator Antonio Locatelli on a flight to the North Pole region; and in 1926, Walter Mittelholzer wore a Longines when he flew from Switzerland to Iran.

But the association really took off, if you will, in 1927, when Charles Lindbergh made his solo flight across the Atlantic. A Longines measurement device at Roosevelt Field in Long Island marked the moment he took off; a similar Longines timepiece at Le Bourget Airfield in Paris where he landed recorded the time of the flight: 33 hours, 30 minutes, 29.8 seconds.

While in the air, Lindbergh had a lot of time to think about a lot of things, including the perfect watch, which he eventually designed for Longines. His Longines Lindbergh Hour Angle, introduced in 1932, used high-frequency quartz regulators to aid in the navigation of transatlantic flights by showing both Greenwich Mean Time and the corresponding hour angle. Needless to say, a Lindbergh Hour Angle from the 1930s is one of the most collectible antique Longines wristwatches available today.

The introduction of a wrist chronograph in 1936 allowed the aviation connection to continue in 1938, when Howard Hughes broke the speed record for a flight around the world. By the end of the 1930s, Longines had many steel-case watches designed specifically for pilots in its product line.

Calendars, water-resistance, and self-winding mechanisms were added as features to Longines watches during the 1940s. Gold and diamonds became more common as post-war prosperity allowed Longines to go after the luxury market.

And then, in 1954, Longines introduced one of its most enduring sports-lifestyle brands, the Conquest. The handsome Flagship followed in 1957. A vintage Conquest or Flagship from the 1950s is as prized by collectors today as it was by customers in the mid-20th century. Another collectible wristwatch to look from the late 1950s is the Jamboree.

Key terms for Antique and Vintage Longines Wristwatches:

Chronograph: A watch that also records time intervals, like a stopwatch.

Chronometer: A watch that has been certified by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute not to lose more than four seconds per day, nor to gain more than six.

Escapement: A device that converts the pressure of a spring or coil into a fixed release of movement.

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Longines Avigation Hack Watch A-7 U.s.military Year1935$2,125 Ends in 10 hours 13 bids 41 watchers
Military Aviator`s Longines Chronograph C.13zn Fly-back$1,930 Ends Tuesday 21 bids 140 watchers
1935 Longines Diamond Dial Platinum Rectangular Watch$960.00 Ends in 7 hours 4 bids 27 watchers
Longines Dolce Vita Mens Xl Chrono Watch L5.680.4.73.6$645.00 Ends in 10 hours 3 bids 7 watchers
Men's "longines Avigation" Special Series Automatic$620.00 Ends in 7 hours 33 bids 18 watchers
Heavy All Authentic Mens Longines 18k Solid Gold Manual$521.70 Ends Tuesday 25 bids 62 watchers
Longines Vintage Platinum Watch With Diamond Dial 1952$500.00 Ends in 6 hours 12 bids 21 watchers
Vintage Longines Silver Arrow 18k Gold Manual Men Watch$465.00 Ends Wednesday 10 bids 47 watchers
1960's Solid 14k Gold Longines Watch With Box - Nr$442.00 Ends in 8 hours 21 bids 30 watchers
Longines Mystery Dial 14k Gold Ultra Silm Men Watch N/r$412.00 Ends Wednesday 10 bids 29 watchers
Vintage Longines 14k Gold Guillochet Dial Big Size 35mm$394.00 Ends in 5 hours 22 bids 69 watchers
Longines Antique 1916 Men's Wristwatch Porcelain Dial$390.00 Ends in 6 hours 18 bids 51 watchers
Gent's Early 1940's Solid Gold Longines$385.00 Ends in 3 hours 23 bids 34 watchers
Longines Dolce Vita Chronograph Date Men's Watch, Nr$355.00 Ends in 10 hours 15 bids 57 watchers
Antique 18 Gold Longines Flagship Date Watch Automatic$338.00 Ends Wednesday 13 bids 49 watchers
Longines La Grande Classique Gents Watch$330.35 Ends in 1 hour 27 bids 42 watchers
Antique Solid 18kt Gold Ww1 Era Longines Trench Watch!$330.00 Ends in 2 hours 15 bids 54 watchers
Mens 1917 Longines 14k Solid Gold Wwi Aviator Watch A+$326.12 Ends Monday 14 bids 89 watchers
Mens 1900 Longines For Millard F. Davis Antique Watch$315.00 Ends Monday 21 bids 47 watchers
Xclnt 1966 Vintage Gents Longines Flagship Date Watch$307.83 Ends in 2 hours 20 bids 56 watchers
Vintage 14k Solid Longines 5 Star Admiral Automatic$280.00 Ends in 6 hours 5 bids 24 watchers
Longines Solid Gold Vintage Watch$277.80 Ends in 3 hours 13 bids 39 watchers
Vintage Longines 14k Mystery Dial Watch Diamond @ 12$275.00 Ends in 8 hours 5 bids 16 watchers
Rare Vintage Longines Olympian Hf Watch With Box Paper$250.00 Ends in 6 hours 1 bid 4 watchers
Mens 17j 14k Gold Longines Diamond Bezel Wrist Watch Nr$228.63 Ends in 8 hours 18 bids 41 watchers
Mens "longines" - 14k Solid Gold - Very Nice Dial$227.50 Ends in 8 hours 10 bids 27 watchers
Longines Gents 18k La Grande Classique Watch L4.743.6$225.24 Ends Sunday 6 bids 11 watchers
Vintage Longines 14k Gold Diamond Case Dial Watch 19.4$212.50 Ends Monday 10 bids 34 watchers
Finest Mens 1960s 10kt Gold Fld Ss Longines Wrist Watch$210.50 Ends Tuesday 9 bids 21 watchers
Longines Dolce Vita Diamond Watch L5.158.0.16.6$208.50 Ends in 7 hours 7 bids 9 watchers
50s Vintage Stainless Steel Nr Mint Longines Automatic$202.50 Ends in 9 hours 19 bids 44 watchers
Crisp 14k Gold Longines 17j Dress Wrist Watch C1966 Nr$202.50 Ends Monday 13 bids 27 watchers
Mens Wow 1949 Longines 14k Solid Gold Faceted Lug Watch$200.00 Ends Monday 10 bids 38 watchers
Rare Vintage Longines 18k Red Gold$190.50 Ends Friday 6 bids 53 watchers
Vintage Mens 14k Gold Longines Admiral Auto Watch Date$189.55 Ends Saturday 3 bids 16 watchers
Vintage Longines Chronograph - Repairable$180.50 Ends Saturday 12 bids 41 watchers
Beautiful Solid 14k Gold Longines Dress Wristwatch$177.50 Ends in 10 hours 5 bids 20 watchers
Longines Conquest Stainless Mens Watch L3 617 4$177.50 Ends in 4 hours 15 bids 11 watchers
Longines Ladies 18k Yellow Gold Swiss Watch Box /papers$172.50 Ends Monday 29 bids 37 watchers
Vintage Longines Automatic Ultra Chron,very Clean$162.50 Ends in 6 hours 2 bids 21 watchers
Longines Solid 14k Gold 1950s Vintage Gents Watch$162.50 Ends Monday 6 bids 20 watchers
Longines Ladies Watch Ref L3.112.3 18k 18ct Gold / Ss$162.17 Ends in 4 hours 4 bids 33 watchers
Longines 10k Gold Vintage Skeleton Frame Watch.....1945$159.17 Ends in 3 hours 9 bids 16 watchers
Rare Vintage Longines Classic Men's Winding Watch!$153.16 Ends Saturday 8 bids 16 watchers
Longines Ultra-chron 10k Men’s Speidel Watch Band 10k$152.50 Ends in 1 hour 7 bids 31 watchers
1959 Longines Automatic Stainless Steel Mens Wristwatch$152.50 Ends in 6 hours 28 bids 21 watchers
14k Solid Gold Diamond Dial Longines - Original Dial !$152.50 Ends in 7 hours 8 bids 17 watchers
Longines Mens Gold Plated Quartz Watch L7.984.2$138.73 Ends in 10 hours 32 bids 48 watchers
Longines Admiral Date Automatic Men's Watch, Nr$138.50 Ends in 10 hours 9 bids 39 watchers
Antique Ladys Longines Watch 14k Gold & Diamonds Wow$138.50 Ends in 8 hours 16 bids 35 watchers
Longines 14k Solid Gold Wrist Watch$130.50 Ends Friday 7 bids 8 watchers
Classic Solid 14k Gold Dress Longines~honeycomb Dial$127.50 Ends in 10 hours 5 bids 7 watchers
1940 Authentic Longines S Steel Manual Mens Wrist Watch$127.50 Ends Monday 16 bids 37 watchers
Longines 14k W/ Diamonds Vintage Mens Watch 17 Jewel$125.00 Ends Wednesday 7 bids 7 watchers
Longines Men’s Watch Automatic Diamond Near Mint 1950s$123.50 Ends in 2 hours 24 bids 31 watchers
Vintage Longines Admiral Hf Munich Olympic Games 1972$123.13 Ends in 4 hours 14 bids 52 watchers
Longines Fluo Military Stainless Steel Ca 1940$120.00 Ends Wednesday 1 bid 9 watchers
Longines Antique 1897 Men's Watch Black Porcelain Dial$112.50 Ends Saturday 14 bids 43 watchers
Longines Vintage 1942 Wwii German Pilot's Wristwatch$111.50 Ends Saturday 14 bids 42 watchers
Longines 5 Star Admiral 17 Jewel Automatic Wristwatch$104.01 Ends in 6 hours 8 bids 15 watchers

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Recent News: Longines Wristwatches

Source: Google News

Shopper's arcade
VietNamNet Bridge, March 21st

For watches you can find brands such as Cartier, Casio G-shock, Gucci, Longines, Movado, Omega, Patek Philippe and Vacheron. At 51 Hang Dao you can have...Read more

RJ Baselworld blog update: Watches of yesteryear
Retail Jeweller, March 19th

Longines is updating its Heritage collection this year, with watches celebrating sports legends. We particularly like the fish on the caseback,...Read more

China dominates BRIC demand for watch brands, says web survey
MoodieReport, March 19th

Consumer interest in the 'High Range' category (comprising brands such as Ebel, Baume & Mercier, Longines, Montblanc, Rado, Raymond Weil) has seen the...Read more

A Hot Half Dozen for 2010
Wall Street Journal, March 18th

Longines has commemorated his personal design, known as the "Greenland Flight," with a modern version sure to ensnare collectors...Read more

Swiss Makers Reward the Chinese Market
New York Times, March 17th

The Swatch Group, which Mr. Weber estimates has roughly 10 percent of its sales in mainland China, and includes brands like Omega, Blancpain, and Longines,...Read more

"Attention Wal-Mart Customers: All Black People Leave the Store Now"
CBS News, March 17th

4.others:brand watches(rolex,Longines...), belt(d&g, gucci, prada, we sincerely hope to establish the business relation with you. by danville132 March 18,...Read more

Tea Party vs. Coffee Party: Are Angry Protests OK?
CBS News, March 17th

4.others:brand watches(rolex,Longines...), belt(d&g, gucci, prada, we sincerely hope to establish the business relation with you. by Geodome March 17,...Read more

The gymnastics week in review
Examiner.com, March 15th

(Aunt Joyce's Ice Cream Stand) There will be more elegance: Because Longines (pruveyors of the Longines Prize for Elegance) and the International Gymnastics...Read more

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